accessories - interior problem
6.1
fairly significantTypical Repair Cost:
$571.00
Average Mileage:
56,637 miles
Number of complaints:
34 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (12 reports)
- replace the entire CD player radio (7 reports)
- call American Honda (1-800-999-1009), ask for goodwill repair (4 reports)
- call local honda dealer and mention service bulletin 04-027 (3 reports)
- Honda extended their warranty to cover this problem - free fix (3 reports)
- radio removed, lcd replaced, radio re-installed (3 reports)
Helpful Websites About 2003 Honda Accord stereo backlight blew, can't just replace the bulb
2007May 13
(reported on)Accord EX 4cyl
- Automatic transmission
- 58,000 miles
I just bought my lease Honda Accord 2003; suddenly tha back light in the radio module is gone; hardly see it under the daylight. I can't see channels, time or temperature. The car is very dark at night while driving. I've seen that this is not unusual in this car, so I certainly believe Honda should take responsibility on this issue and have a recall or repair it for free. After all we are the customers and those cars are not cheap. If they want to keep me as their loyal customer, they should show me fairness on this matter.
2007May 14
(reported on)Accord EX 4cyl
- Automatic transmission
- 88,000 miles
everyone who has this problem... i just called my dealership and they explained that there has been an extended warranty put on the cd players from Honda since it seems to be such a big issue.. If you have this problem i recommend calling a Honda dealership near you and have them fix it for free
2007May 11
(reported on)Accord EX V6
- Automatic transmission
- 61,000 miles
I was definitely annoyed by this problem with the radio/clock/HVAC LED going out two weeks after having another problem with my 2003 Accord EXV6 that related to another service bulletin (03-340 - EVAP Cannister Drain Joint) that was not covered by the service bulletin, not Honda's warranty. Luckily I had bought an extended warranty and was reimbursed for the $220 fix. I did not realized until searching for this LED problem that it was as widespread a problem as it is. I printed the other service bulletin (04-027) and called my local Honda dealership in Pittsburgh, PA. They were aware of the problem and I made an appointment for the repair. I took it two days later and after two hours, the problem was fixed and the did not charge me one cent. They also told me that since the service bulletin was issued in 2004, Honda now just replaces some electronic board of the LED itself and not the entire console. I don't know how much the repair cost the dealership, but it didn't cost me anything. I love my Honda, but like all cars, eventually something will go wrong from time-to-time.
2007Apr 11
(reported on)Accord EX V6
- Automatic transmission
- 91,365 miles
Must say I was very pleased with Honda's response. Backlight blew at about 91,000 miles, no extended warranty, and to top it off I just moved to another state, so this was my first visit to Pensacola Honda. As soon as I mentioned the stereo backlight, the Service Advisor told me "no problem, we'll take care of it". The ordered the part that day - brought my vehicle in the next morning and got it back all fixed up in a couple of hours. They (Pensacola Honda) appear to have this issue down pat. After reading of others' experiences on this board, I was quite worried, but they earned a new customer with their quick and pleasant response!
2007Sep 07
(reported on)Accord V6
- Automatic transmission
- 51,000 miles
One morning, the radio/AC display in my car was dark and, after checking all of the fuses and the battery, I was told that the radio would have to be replaced to fix the problem; the radio for this car costs around $800 then there's labor on top of that. According to several sites I have read, there is a transformer in the radio that powers the lights that illuminate the display for the radio and air conditioning, which is a combined display, and that transformer is prone to failure.
2007Nov 05
(reported on)Accord LX 3.2L
- Automatic transmission
- 73,000 miles
I need someone to advise me what to do. I bought this call used but it had a 1 year warranty. I have had it 2 years and now the back light is out on my radio. I had to fuss to get the seat fix when I first got it because it was slipping out of place. Then I had to buy a injector because the engine light came on. Now this. Is this radio still under warranty I don't have my 100,000 mile warranty yet.I feel that this is a electric problem. Is there any one that can help me!
2007Oct 10
(reported on)Accord EX
- Automatic transmission
- 71,000 miles
Called local Honda dealership to see if a fuse or bulb needed to be replaced. Tech stated that it sounded like the circuit board needed to be replaced and that it was under warranty if less than 100,000 miles. Took car in for diagnosis, didn't have part, and will have to come back for second visit when part arrives.
2007Aug 15
(reported on)Accord LX 3.2L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 53,000 miles
HONDA IS JUST ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF IMPORTS GETTING AWAY WITH "LITTLE" PROBLEMS THAT AMOUNTS TO" BIG" ONES. INSTEAD OF ENGINEERING A RADIO THAT THE BACKLIGHT COULD BE CHANGED THE WHOLE UNIT NEEDS TO BE REPLACE. HONDA WILL NOT EVEN ADDRESS THE ISSUE.
2007Jul 17
(reported on)Accord EX V6
- Automatic transmission
- 100,000 miles
This problem appeared last year at some point. My wife drove without the backlight until we heard about the warranty extension.
Recently we had the circuit board replaced at our "favorite" dealership. At first we dropped off the car only to be called after 2 hours that they had to order the part. We picked up the car again and went there twice for nothing.
The 2nd time the part was there and the repair took 2-3 hours. A few days later my wife notices that the CD changer was no longer working - it does not play, load, or eject CDs.
We went back and were told (without any diagnosis - maybe they only forgot to re-connect the changer to the main unit or something simple like that?) that a new CD changer had to be ordered. That was 3 weeks ago and we have not heard anything. My phone calls are not being returned. Will give them a few more days, then complain with Honda.
2007Jun 13
(reported on)Accord EX 3.0L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 70,000 miles
At first the screen was just really faint and then it went out all together. Definitely a pain because that display is the control center of the car... lots of important information is displayed on that screen. Luckily, when I called Honda about this they explained that they were aware of the problem and that they had extended their manufacturer's warranty to 7 years/100k miles in order to cover this problem. The dealership that I took my car to corrected the problem for free (bad circuit board) in about two hours.
2007May 02
(reported on)Accord EX 4cyl
- Automatic transmission
- 45,000 miles
The overall car is fine, but the freaking back light problem pisses me off to know end. The dealer in Middeltown NY is 100% CRAP. Without a doubt... the worst dealer I have ever delt with. Hond nees to recall this problem......... They are starting to smell like FORD!!!!
2007May 02
(reported on)Accord EX V6
- Automatic transmission
- 35,000 miles
The LCD in Honda CD/Radios are a known problem. Just a pain in the butt. The dealership wanted me to buy another radio at $600.00. On ebay there was someone selling a service to repair the LCD light for $100.00. Just another reason why I won't ever buy another Honda. Transmissions are JUNK and they know it!
2007Apr 29
(reported on)Accord LX 3.0 V6
- Automatic transmission
- 57,000 miles
I BOUGHT MY 2003 HONDA ACCORD USED. I HAD FOR 3 WEEKS ANDS THE LIGHTS WENT OUT IN THE RADIO. NOW I CANT SEE WHAT TIME IT IS OR WHAT TRACK OR DISC IM LISTENING TOO. I CANT SEE THE SETTING FOR THE HEATER/ AC. TO TOP IT ALL OFF, ITS NOT COVERED UNDER MY PIECE OF SHIT WARRANTY. THIS IS A REAL PAIN IN MY ASS!!!!!!!!!
2007Apr 24
(reported on)Accord EX 3.0L V4
- Automatic transmission
- 90,000 miles
Back light went out at 90000 miles on radio. Not only can I not see the radio, but I'am unable to see the settings my heat or air are on. This becomes annoying since I drive at night all the time in a bad part of town. I just have to hope nothing else will go out. This inconvient since I thought I bought a top of the line vehicle that has no problems. Was I sadly mistaken. Honda just wants their money to fix the problem, they don't care about customer satisfaction. Call American Honda (1-800-999-1009), ask for goodwill repa
2006Oct 11
(reported on)Accord EX
- 40,000 miles
Honda is crap. This is my 4th Honda and my last Honda. I took my car to Tameron Honda here in B'ham (aka - the worst dealership ever) and they replaced it, but I'm fairly certain they did NOT replace it with a new stereo as they told me they did. Not to mention this is also the dealership that told me that there was nothing wrong with my window motor and then the motor went out a month later. If you are in b'ham take your car somewhere else... And for goodness sake... DO NOT BUY A CAR FROM TAMERON. I've known lots of people who have had the same underhanded selling tactics used on them at Tameron... This is not a coincidence... It's the way they do business.
I have several problems with my car... Window motor out at 37K miles (problems with it started at 15K, but Honda wouldn't do anything about it), Windows rattle, outside window trim is crinkling up, interior light cover comes off easily, door molding coming off, transmission went out, O2 sensor went out. I hate this car. Never again will Honda get my business.
2007Feb 27
(reported on)Accord EX 4-cyl
- Automatic transmission
- 85,000 miles
This is not really a complaint... more of a kudos to Honda for fixing an annoying defect and a heads up to those who have the same problem. I purchased my car last month from a general used car dealer (not a Honda dealer). One morning I got in my car and the backlight would not work. I googled the defect and promptly found the problem on AutoBeef. Called a Honda dealer in my area (Birmingham, AL) and mentioned the problem and SERVICE BULLETIN 04-027. They worked me in within two business days, and the problem was fixed for free. Everyone at the dealership was really nice, and looking at my invoice, it looks like they also replaced my air breather pipe (part of a different service bulletin 03-043) without me even asking (or knowing there was a problem). So be sure to mention the service bulleting, and you should be fine.
2007Mar 14
(reported on)Accord EX 3.2
- Automatic transmission
- 67,000 miles
When my light went out I was sure you could just replace a bulb or fuse but when I called Jim Skinner Honda in Dothan they told me it would cost $400 and I would have a huge hole in my dash for 4 to 6 weeks while they sent it back to the factory. As many Honda's as this has happen to i would think there would be a factory recall.
2006May 13
(reported on)Accord EX
- 61,000 miles
I've had several minor problems with my honda that I have just put up with, but the one thing that I guess I took for granted was that the stereo/cd player/air conditioner screen backlight would work past 3 years. I called my service tech @ honda who asked "how many miles I had"(62000) "did I purchase an extended warranty"(no). He said it was going to cost about 300-400 bucks to replace a power switch and then proceeded to give me the number to some hole in the wall that would charge less to replace it. I'm considering it because I'd rather not give Honda another dime of my money. Any Honda accord owner 2003 and beyond knows how vital that display screen is and if not just wait until it goes out on you!!!!I'm guessing I'll start seeing alot more complaints once these screens start going out in cars everywhere!!
2006Oct 14
(reported on)Accord
- 17,500 miles
I only have 17,500 miles on the car and I can no longer see what station is playing on the radio. I can not see which CD I selected to play, I can not see the heat gauge or the air conditioning gauge. This is really awful and my warranty just expired in August of this year 2006. I do not know what to do.
2007Feb 12
(reported on)Accord EX V4
- Automatic transmission
- 25,000 miles
This is not really a beef, it is more a positive report for Honda. After reading these complaints, I called our Honda dealer and told him about the LCD in the radio went out. I also told him that I had noticed that there was a service bulletin out for this, and he told me that they new about it and as long as we did not damage it by abuse (like pouring coffee over the radio), they would replace the LCD free of charge. They took the radio out, replaced the LCD, and re-installed the radio. I took the car in the morning, and it was ready by noon. They took me to work, and also picked me up, so it was really painless. In my mind, Honda is the best! (The waranty ran out last year.)
2007Jan 30
(reported on)Accord EX V6
- Automatic transmission
- 65,000 miles
The backlighting of the radio went out after the warranty expired. I called the dealer and they said it would be $774 for a new radio to be installed. I called Honda America for the Goodwill replacement. Well, no goodwill there. Since this is our first Honda and we do not have it serviced at the dealer, they couldn't help us. This will be our last Honda. Once the radio is repaired, it's going up for sale. My wife had a Toyota 15 years ago. They charged us $450 to replace the water pump. That was the last Toy we owned. No more imports for me.
2007Jan 30
(reported on)Accord EX V6
- Automatic transmission
- 48,000 miles
This is the second Accord that I've owned. My previous Accord was a 1990 LX and was an absolute peach of a car. I never had any major problems except for an ignition problem ($400) for which there was a recall. It cost me nothing to fix. I drove that car for 12 years and 135,000 miles before finally donating it to a local rescue mission. I expected the same performance with the 2003 but was quickly disappointed. I love the horsepower of the V6, but the radio backlight went out at 48,000 miles rendering the radio, CD, clock, and A/C dial useless. When I contacted Honda, they said I was too far over the 36,000 warranty mileage for them to repair it for free. Consequently, I've been driving it for 1 1/2 years with no radio display. This is definitely my LAST HONDA. I'm switching to Lexus for sure the next time I buy a car. "Disgruntled Honda owners unite!" Honda should come clean with all of us and repair this "known" problem for free.
2006Dec 23
(reported on)Accord EX V4
- Automatic transmission
- 63,000 miles
The radio and climate control are one unit. I can't even just replace the radio. This is bullocks.
2007Jan 03
(reported on)Accord EX V6
- Automatic transmission
- 32,000 miles
Stereo/AC control panel went dark, replaced under warranty.
2006Dec 20
(reported on)Accord EX 4 cyl
- Automatic transmission
- 65,000 miles
My 2003 Honda Accord is about to hit 65,000 miles and the backlight on my radio just all of a sudden quit working. My radio still works fine I just can't see anything. It is a real inconvenience. It is very frustrating to me that Honda did not have the courtesy to do a recall as this is obviously a big problem with big costs. I am fortunately not having to pay for this because I have a great dealer, Moore Stewart Honda in Selma Alabama. I highly recommend them. They are dealing with Honda directly so that I do not have to and are making sure that Honda is going to pay for it!! If you are in the area I highly recommend them!!
2006Sep 11
(reported on)Accord EX-V6
- 32,000 miles
This is a KNOWN issue with American Honda. Service Bulletin 04-027 explains the backlight defect in all 2003 and some 2004 Accords with the 6-Disc In-Dash Unit. The LX with Single-CD and Navigation Units are not affected. The service bulletin gives the VIN ranges for the 2004 models that are affected. The service bulletin is titled Audio-HVAC Display Module is Dim or Dark.
Even if your Accord is out of warranty, the dealer will call American Honda, and they will replace the stereo on a good-will basis at no charge to the customer. If the Accord is still within the original warranty, no charge.
I heard about the defect, then my backlight burned out as well. I found the service bulletin online and gave my dealer a copy. They called American Honda and my replacement stereo was ordered. Once the replacement stereo was in, I made an appointment and 2 hours later, my car was done with a new stereo. If your local dealer tries to charge you, call American Honda directly.
This is not a recall because it is not a safety issue. A service bulletin was issued instead so if your Accord has the backlight failure, the dealer will already be aware of the defect and the solution.
From what I have read on the internet about this issue, it is a defect in the stereo unit itself, from whoever manufactured the unit (Honda does not make stereos). There is a resistor on the circuit board that is too close to the amplifier heat sink. Over time, the resister will melt and fail. The resistor controls the backlighting. The unit remains functional, but the backlight and button illumination no longer operate. The problem was discovered and corrected in 2004, which explains why all 2003 and some 2004 models were affected.
2006Sep 11
(reported on)Accord EX
- 40,000 miles
My cd player completely quit working at @ 40,000 miles. It will not even let me eject the cds. I was so excited to have a 6 disc cd changer. A lot of good this does me now.
My LED light in the radio display also went out at @45,000 miles and from what I have read this is a major problem in 03 accords. Call American Honda and report the problem. Mention "Goodwill Consideration" and Service Bulletin 04-027. (Vehicles affected: 2003 Accord (except DX and LX L4 models):ALL. This was issued July 9, 2004. You might be able to get your radio replaced for free even if your warranty has "run out".
2006Aug 26
(reported on)Accord LX
- 52,000 miles
I bought the Accord for my daughter while she was attending LSU. The back light went out in the stereo at 50,000 miles. The Honda dealer told us that we should bring it back to the dealer we bought from. He said some dealers are replacing the radios for nothing in order to maintain a reputation. Mine was not that gracious.
2006Aug 29
(reported on)Accord EX
- 47,300 miles
Have not had the car long. Bought it used. Could have gone any route, new or used. But decided to go with this one because of Honda's reputation and could get a loaded car. Was I wrong in doing this? If I cannot get this fixed, I will stick with Toyota the rest of my life.
2006Aug 24
(reported on)Accord
- 29,000 miles
This is not what expect from a HONDA ACCORD... We never a stupid but severe problem with ACCORDS till now... There should be some kind of recall for this matter.. My back light blew out after 29k THAT'S BULLSHIT!!!!!
2006Jun 24
(reported on)Accord EX
- 52,000 miles
Same thing happened with me too. Wish I had alot of money and purchased the 6 at 100K warranty.
2006Jul 10
(reported on)Accord EX
- 67,500 miles
Shockingly the entire stereo systems must be replaced. I have been a loyal Honda customer. I hope this is a one-time event..
2006Mar 08
(reported on)Accord LX
- 49,000 miles
I was a dedicated Honda buyer but after I purchased a 2003 Accord, I've changed my mind totally. The radio dashboard light blew at 49K miles. We can't see anything on the dashboard except for the odometer readings. It's especially annoying at nights. The dealer informed me that my car has exceeded the 3 year/ 36K mile warranty and it will cost me over $1000 plus to replace. They can't replace the bulb, they have to replace the entire radio - What a rip-off
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2006Sep 15
Accord LX V6
This seems to be one of the two standard failures on '03 Accords, along with the transmission. If you're reading this, you've probably already seen several dozen just like it.
One day, I can't even remember exactly when, I started the car and noticed I could barely read the radio/CD/clock display. My first thought, however illogical, was that the battery might be going, so that was the first thing I checked. It was fine, so I just ignored it for several months. It was irritating, but I assumed it'd be an expensive to diagnose and fix.
Eventually, I asked the dealer to take a look at it while I had the car in for routine maintenance. Apparently, the problem wasn't well-known yet then, because it took them a long time to figure out that a circuit board had burned out--the same one that burned out and generated most of the radio display-related complaints on the '03 and '04 Accords--and it took them even longer to replace it. They did it, though, and didn't even charge me my warranty deductible, so whatever.
It was an annoying failure, but one that I wouldn't even think twice about anymore if it weren't for the other problems I've had with the car. Overall, it's been a lot more trouble than I expect from a brand with the reputation of Honda.
Martin S.
Allen, TX, USA
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